Why bathrooms fail first
A closed bathroom in a humid climate is a mildew incubator: warm, damp, and dark. Paint doesn't cause the problem, but ordinary flat paint gives spores a porous surface to hold onto.
What to use
Two products cover almost every bathroom that comes across our counter.
- Aura Bath & Spa — a matte that resists moisture and cleans like a higher sheen. The choice when you want a soft, non-shiny look.
- Regal Select in Pearl or Satin — the durable, budget-friendly option, and easy to wipe down.
- Ceilings: use a moisture-resistant product, not a builder-grade flat ceiling paint.
Fixing a ceiling that's already spotting
Mildew must be killed, not covered. Wash the area with a mildew cleaner, rinse, and let it dry completely. Spot-prime any stains with a stain-blocking primer, then topcoat the whole plane so the sheen matches.
Ventilation does the rest
Run the exhaust fan for twenty minutes after a shower and leave the door open when the room isn't in use. The best paint in the world loses to a bathroom that never dries out.
Frequently asked
- What sheen should I use in a bathroom?
- Pearl or satin is the classic answer, but a moisture-rated matte like Aura Bath & Spa now cleans just as well if you prefer a flatter look.
- Will mildew-resistant paint stop mold from coming back?
- It resists surface growth, but it can't fix a ventilation problem. Kill existing mildew before painting and keep the exhaust fan running after showers.
- Can I just paint over mildew stains?
- No. Clean and kill the mildew first, spot-prime the stain with a stain-blocking primer, then repaint the full surface so the sheen is even.